REID PARK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 2019-2020 Annual Report Dear Zoo Friends, Fiscal year 2019-2020 started out as one of the Zoo’s best ever. We were experiencing record attendance and celebrating the return of the Asian Lantern Festival when the pandemic hit and the Zoo closed for five months during our peak season as we did our part to stem the spread of the COVID virus. Zoo staff took a deep breath, rolled up their sleeves from wherever they were, and pitched in across departments however they were needed. • Animal care staff took the opportunity to provide additional enrichment for animals who weren’t used to seeing quiet, empty sidewalks. • The grounds and maintenance team did some deep cleaning and took care of some projects like replacing water lines which are easiest done when there are no visitors in the Zoo. Construction began on the new Flamingo Lagoon and new Welcome Plaza. • The marketing and education teams immediately got busy on social and digital media, finding ways to engage guests with a visit to the Zoo without being here in person. During the process, we found that not only were our regular guests logging in, but guests from across the country and around the world were also following the Zoo. • Our volunteers switched their daily meetings from in-person to online, staying current with the Zoo while earning their Continuing Education hours so they would be ready to jump back in when the time was right. • Our development team kept our donors connected to the Zoo and up-to-date on capital projects. • Our finance team worked on PPP loans and financial projections to ensure the Zoo had options and our precious resources were managed wisely. Around the Zoo, we tightened our belts and cut costs wherever possible without compromising animal care or essential operations. • The Board of Directors held special meetings giving crucial guidance on safety measures and doing the careful financial planning needed. And there were the wonderful joys amid the tragedies and uncertainty: the Zoo’s baby elephant Mapenzi, a mob of baby meerkats, and hearing from children and adults how much being able to watch the animals on webcams meant to them. It warmed our souls, and we knew we would make it through. It has been a tough year for so many. Thank you for sharing your stories, time and resources with us. We are honored that you are part of the Zoo family and to steward this most special place— our wonderful Reid Park Zoo—with you. Nancy J. Kluge Reid Park Zoological Society President & CEO 336,020 Total Guests Reached Our Mission Reid Park Zoo and Reid Park Zoological Society share a mission: to create inspiring memories for all by connecting people and animals to ensure the 14,352 protection of wild animals and wild places. Member Foundation Mission Households To leave a legacy for the future enhancement of Reid Park Zoo and conservation of wild animals and wild places throughout the world. Annual Report 2019-2020 | 3 ANIMAL UPDATES The Highest Level of Animal Care While the Reid Park Zoo team had to adapt in many ways when the Zoo closed due to the pandemic, we knew there was one place we would never compromise: providing animals with the highest level of care. We’re proud to say that, despite an extended closure, the Zoo’s animals did not see a change in their daily routines — besides that addition of masks to the faces of their care teams! Critical Care for Oso the Tamandua In late 2019, a tamandua pup was born at the Zoo. He was alert and active his first few days of life. However, after several days he was a little sluggish and had lost more weight than is typical post-birth. Animal care staff stepped in to offer supplemental feedings for the baby tamandua, bringing the pup into the Zoo’s Health Center to eat throughout the day and night. This dedicated process continued for several months until the pup transitioned to solid food. His name, Oso, is Spanish for “bear” as a tribute to the stuffed animal he rode to and from his visits to the Health Center, mimicking the way tamandua pups ride on their mothers’ backs. Oso has grown into a strong tamandua, learning how to interact with his animal care team for presentations and how to interact with a female tamandua. Likely he will soon have a recommendation to breed and will either stay here at Reid Park Zoo or perhaps relocate to another AZA-accredited zoo to help expand the tamandua population. 4 | Reid Park Zoo New Additions to the Mob On April 9, 2020 Reid Park Zoo welcomed it’s first-ever birth of meerkat pups! There are three male and two female pups. Meerkats arrived at Reid Park Zoo in 2017 as part of a breeding recommendation in cooperation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Their playful antics and curious nature have made this species an absolute favorite at the Zoo. Bella the Jaguar Bella came to Reid Park Zoo in November of 2019. Like many people who move to Arizona from out-of- state, allergies were a factor in this jaguar’s move. Bella has skin allergies, and the hope is that Tucson’s climate will Penzi the Elephant Calf be more comfortable for After a two year pregnancy Semba the African elephant her. Bella is a curious cat gave birth to a 295 pound calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, who loves investigating 2020. The Community voted to name the calf Mapenzi (Penzi new smells in her habitat. for short), meaning “beloved.” Penzi has truly been a ray of She is particularly fond of sunshine during this challenging year. She immediately had enrichment items constructed a close connection with her big sister Nandi. The two spend out of recycled fire hose. their days playing and foraging alongside each other. Annual Report 2019-2020 | 5 WE ARE THE COMMUNITY’S ZOO Tucson is a beautiful and warm community nestled in the heart of mountain ranges. In Tucson’s Zoo, guests are able to interact, experience, and immerse themselves in a global encounter — from the local species that visit the pollinator garden to supporting conservation efforts taking place on the other side of the world. Reid Park Zoo is committed to accessibility. Our belief is that everyone should have the opportunity to connect with nature and wildlife regardless of economic status. Reid Park Zoo’s admission is one of the least expensive zoos to attend in the country and is also one of the most affordable attractions in the Tucson area. Through Community Access Programs, Reid Park Zoo extends its commitment to accessibility and makes the Zoo and its programs available to families without cost acting as a barrier. In addition to these in-person programs, we are proud to bring the Zoo online through our webcams, free virtual programming, and informational videos and updates. 6 | Reid Park Zoo SOCIAL SERVICE MEMBERSHIPS FESTIVAL IN THE PARK/DOLLAR DAY There are many incredible community-focused The annual Festival in the Park is always a wonderful organizations in and around Tucson that provide the occasion for Reid Park as a whole. While a joyful festival community with child and family services, mental health offers games, prizes, face painting, crafts, and more programs and programs for homeless clients. Reid Park fun, Reid Park Zoo opens its doors for $1 admission, Zoo supports these efforts by offering social service with all proceeds going to support conservation efforts memberships that allow these organizations to provide worldwide. individuals who participate in their programs with relaxing, spirited, and educational visits to the Zoo. FIELD TRIPS Reid Park Zoo offers free field trips to the Zoo for K-12 DISCOUNTED ADMISSION FOR EBT CARDHOLDERS schools. These self-guided visits enable students to Reid Park Zoo’s is proud to offer a $4 discount off explore the Zoo. Worksheets and other supplemental daytime admission tickets for guests who participate in resources to focus student attention during visits are also the Arizona SNAP/WIC programs. available to teachers at no cost. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Reid Park Zoo’s Education team developed DREAMNIGHT virtual Zoo Adventure programs that were available at no Reid Park Zoo partners with the Arizona-Sonora Desert cost to schools throughout the country thanks to grants Museum to host an exclusive night out for children with from local businesses and private donors. Additionally, special health care needs, children with disabilities, and free 20-minute animal encounters were offered every their parents and siblings. This event provides an evening Thursday and Saturday to provide schools and families for these children and their families to experience their an opportunity to connect with the Zoos’ animal Zoo free of charge and without the concern for social ambassadors during the time when public presentations stigma and issues related to accessibility. The event is held were suspended due to COVID precautions. at the Zoo and Museum in alternating years. CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS Thanks to community support, Reid Park Zoo was able to provide a limited number of camp scholarships based on financial need. These scholarships allowed children and their families to attend the Zoo’s virtual summer camp for free. TOTAL PEOPLE SERVED 23,639 through Community Access Programs Annual Report 2019-2020 | 7 EDUCATION IS OUR MISSION The animals that live at the Zoo are ambassadors for their species. Through school field trips, private group programs, animal presentations, camps, and off grounds outreach programs, our Education team is dedicated to connecting our diverse community with wildlife and wild places.